$50 gold piece?

mhammerman

It seems that I remember seeing a $50 gold piece somewhere but I can not seem to find one listed anywhere so I can study on it some. Looked in the red book and an illustrated history but no %50 gold coins. Is there such a coin that was issued for business/commerce or was it only a pattern? Newbies want to know!

kamehameha00

It's a pattern and called I think it's called a Union. It's listing in the redbook in the Patterns section.

100proof1957

50.00 PAN PAC commem ?

Gonfunko

$50 GAE? It's a bullion piece, but otherwise it fits the bill.

FatMan

There are many private and territorial $50 Gold Pieces. Look in the back of the Red Book.

I believe the only two US Mint issued $50 have been mentioned. Pan Pac $50 and the $50 Gold American Eagle Bullion coin

CoinAddict

Here is a list of $50 patterns.

kenoshapete

I remember reading something about this sometime ago. I believe it was called a Half Union (with a $100 gold piece to be called a Union)... at any rate, supposedly it was to be used as a method between financial institutions, but the price of gold required to make it was not in line with the dollar value assigned to the coin (bascially too expensive to make). From what I recall there was or is only one Half Union surviving and I think its buried at the Smithsonian.

FatMan

, found at the Smithsonian

mhammerman

YEA...I knew y'all would know what I was looking for. Fatman...you nailed it! I have been seeing that coin in my mind for days now and that is the one!

Thank you, thank you.

Mike

mhammerman

From the Red Book

"1877 Half Union (J-1549) This famous $50 pattern by William Barber would have been the highest demoniation ever issued by the U.S. Mint. The gold impression is unique but copper specimens, sometimes gilt, come to the market. Verieties exist but with a somewhat larger or smaller head (copper)."

PF-60 $95 K
PF-63 $140 K
PF-65 $225 K

If that coin won't set off your wallet alarm...you need to get fresh batteries.

cool coin!

airplanenut

<< <i>, found at the Smithsonian
>>

And that is a mighty heavy coin... VERY cool

Dennis88

The $50 piece never made it. At the same time, there were also plans for a $100 gold piece, but there is nothing known about them, and there were no patterns created. I'm not sure if there are sketches.

They would have been used in international trade, just like the double eagle.

Dennis

kenoshapete

Fats, thanks for the pictures.

mojorizn

A 1877 $50 "Half Union" Pattern, J-1547, came up for sale in June in the Medio collection by ANR and Stack's.

The coin didn't sell but check it out at ANRcoins.com. There's a little background info and an excellent large photo.

mojo

MrEureka

Did somebody say "$50 gold piece"???